Mom Left Kids In Car While Filling Out Job App

ROCHESTER HILLS  (WWJ) - The Oakland County Sheriff's office is investigating a Troy mother who left her four and one-year-old children alone in her car.

The 35-year-old mom told deputies the kids were sleeping when she left them to apply for a job inside a store at a busy Rochester Hills strip mall.

A passerby called 911, and witnesses who said the children were crying hysterically and left alone in the shopping center parking lot for about 20 minutes.

One of the car windows was slightly down  for air.

"Thankfully the heat is not such that it typically is at this point in the year, but, then that could have been extremely dangerous," said Wayne County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

The EMS was called to the scene and the children were checked out by a doctor at Crittenton Hospital.

They were  found to be OK and are now in the custody of their father.

Bouchard said the woman, whose name has not been released. may be facing a variety of charges from a misdemeanor to a felony.

"Obviously, you feel for her in her job quest, but, you know, you also have to make good decisions ...," Bouchard said. "Things happen in seconds. And to leave two young children unattended in a car — almost anything can happen."

The case has been referred to the Oakland County Prosecutor for review.